[February 02, 2013]SPRINGFIELD -- The Serve Illinois
Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is accepting
nominations for the fourth annual Governor's Volunteer Service
Awards until Feb. 15. The awards recognize individual volunteers
through a statewide award program to highlight the importance of
volunteerism and community service in the state of Illinois.

Individual awards will be presented to one youth 18 years and under,
one adult 19-54 years old, and one retiree or senior 55 years and
older in each of the commission's five service regions across the
state -- Northeast, Northwest, East Central, West Central and
Southern. National Service Awards will be presented to one
AmeriCorps and one Senior Corps member in each of the five regions.
One award will be provided to a business in each of the five service
regions. Within each category, applications will be given special
priority based on these subject areas: economic opportunity,
education, environmental conservation, disaster preparedness and
response, health, and veterans affairs.

Nominations are due to Serve Illinois by Feb. 15. Award
recipients will be selected and notified by March 30. The Serve
Illinois Commission will host a luncheon to honor recipients on
April 18 at the executive mansion in Springfield.

The Serve Illinois Commission is a 40-member bipartisan board
appointed by the governor and administered by the Illinois
Department of Human Services. Its mission is to improve Illinois
communities by enhancing traditional volunteer activities and
supporting national service programs, including the Illinois
AmeriCorps program.